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Updated @ 7:45am. A build of Windows 8.1 Update 1 has leaked onto various file sharing websites. The build is a couple of weeks older than the one we covered in the story below, but most of the major changes are there (booting straight to the desktop, the menu bar on Metro apps to make them more mouse-and-keyboard friendly).

The latest build of Windows 8.1 Update 1 has leaked, revealing many of the changes that Microsoft hopes will make Metro less painful for desktop users. The biggest change appears to be that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will boot straight to the Desktop interface by default, reducing Metro to its rightful role as a full-screen Start menu. This, of course, would be a complete 180 from the original release of Windows 8, which defaulted to the Metro interface and lacked an easy way to see the Desktop after logging in.

Other notable changes in the leaked build of Windows 8.1 Update 1 are the addition of a power button to the Metro interface (no longer must you swipe in from the right-hand side!), and the option to “minimize” Metro apps, strongly hinting that Metro apps will be usable on the Desktop. (One of the screenshots shows the Windows Store icon on the taskbar, too.) Apparently, if you have a Windows tablet that’s smaller than 8.5 inches, the power button won’t be present, preventing you from accidentally turning your tablet off.

Windows 8.1 Update 1, showing a Metro app with a new title bar at the top, probably for use on the Desktop.

New UI scaling options in Windows 8.1 Update 1

It appears Microsoft might finally be tackling Windows 8’s issues with high-resolution displays, too. Windows 8 and 8.1 are rather limited in their support for high-resolution (150+ PPI) displays, offering a slider with just three UI scaling options. Update 1 will now include three new scaling options: 200%, 250%, and Custom (up to 500%). This should mean that your Lenovo, Dell, and Samsung laptops with 3200×1800 displays will now actually be usable. This change should also help if you have a 24- or 28-inch 4K display (32-inch displays are generally okay due to their lower PPI).

But let’s get back to the main point at hand: If Windows 8.1 Update 1 really does boot to the Desktop by default, we’re talking about a huge change of direction for Microsoft. Despite massive pushback from consumers over the Metro interface, Microsoft has remained steadfast. If we’re brutally honest, we actually agree that popularizing the Metro interface is vital for Microsoft’s future, and that he Desktop’s days are numbered — but forcing mouse and keyboard users to use the Metro interface was just plain stupid. It would have required almost no effort on Microsoft’s behalf to make the Desktop UI the default for non-touchscreen devices.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Desktop, showing the build string, and a Metro app on the toolbar

For what it’s worth, it seems the boot-to-Desktop-by-default feature is only present for some people who have installed the leaked version of Update 1. We wouldn’t be surprised if this change doesn’t make it into the final build — it really would be Microsoft’s ultimate admission of defeat. We should also note that, despite early rumors, there’s still no evidence that the old Start menu will make a reappearance. (Read: How to bring back the Start menu and button to Windows 8.)

This leak, like many other Windows leaks, come from the Russian website WZor. The full build string, in case you’re wondering, is 9600.16606.WINBLUES14_GDR_LEAN.140126-2042, and it was compiled on January 26. Windows 8.1 Update 1 is a service and feature pack combo that’s scheduled to arrive in March, ahead of Microsoft’s Build conference in April (where we might hear about the next update, Windows 9).

Window Vista and Windows 7 is terrible with multi-monitor support.
I had major problems using 3x monitors at different refresh rates with Window 7, got tech help from MS and they said to use Windows 8 and guess what I has zero problems.

Finite .Kosmos

” we actually agree that popularizing the Metro interface is vital for Microsoft’s future, and that he Desktop’s days are numbered”

Fantastic, but how will this function? I have a desktop with hundreds of media asset files on it, thousands of documents everything from Word to Excel. I have Virtual Machines and media and image processing software in the form of Adobe’s Creative Cloud on this computer. Now, Metro has extremely ineffective tools available to it for management of local data. It contains no functions for interrogating system hardware and/or event logs if I encounter issues, almost all of that requires functionality that is related to the desktop and standard desktop tools designed for manipulating localised storage and local hardware resources. Metro can not do this, in fact its a particularly terrible interface for these kinds of operations. I have no problem with touch sensitive interfaces, but they have to work especially if they are being used to replace key functionality. So how exactly do I manage, move and manipulate large data files within Metro unless I drop to desktop? This is the very essence of Windows 8’s split personality. That and the decidedly closed nature of the Metro interface adds up to an experience that is simply not good enough.

Now the desktop may be getting old and I’d like to see a fresh approach to interface design. But if Metro is the future then it is a seriously flawed, compromised one. The other day I installed a SoundBlaster ZxR sound card in this computer. In order to install drivers I had to drop to the desktop and run the installer. I then had to run the update utility. Each time I boot my computer Symantec’s PGP requests my permission to start since it requires Admin privileges and to do those things requires a drop to the desktop.

As a desktop user I seriously do not understand this push to replace the desktop interface with something that does not contain enough functionality to actually manage and manipulate a desktop computer and the data it contains. I could probably be convinced if I could even interrogate things like the event viewer or even manage the data contained on my disks, but I cant do that with Metro. I can certainly find out what restaurant is nearby for a meal out in one of its less than useful apps, but that wont help me get my job done.

I have been using Windows 8 since the preview programs, I currently use 8.1 and in all that time I have purchased absolutely no Metro app’s. Because to me and my workflow Metro is a gimmick, an interference that contains absolutely nothing of productive value at all. If they truly want to destroy the desktop they MUST integrate the featureset that is required to interrogate the operating system and manage data stored on the system. Otherwise Linux will take up the mantle and I hate to break it to you but it WILL take it up.

Quite frankly Extremetech it’s simply not good enough for you to state that the desktop’s days are numbered. not until the tools are actually in place to achieve the bare minimum functionality required to replace it, and in Metro that simply is not the case.

pelov lov

Your usage scenario reflects only a small portion of Microsoft’s target customers, and even current users.

If you really want to be frank here, then why not consider that a majority of the population would be more content with Metro/iOS/Android than they would be the traditional win32 landscape. The harsh reality is that most folks are more comfortable with pre-packaged “apps” from a closed app store than they are with applications and the freedom that entails.

I think you’re arguing for the concept of a desktop rather than you are for MS specifically adhering to what most think of as a desktop OS and applications. A mouse and keyboard is impossible to beat for accuracy and work, but for many people it’s just a work machine; a tablet/laptop and/or a smartphone are the primary computing device for a vast portion of the population.

But I agree with you that a touch-based UI like Metro isn’t going to erase the typical win32 landscape. It’s just fodder to be ignored if you’re using your desktop as a true-blue desktop. (for work, programming, gaming, etc.) If we flip that around, though, shoe-horning the desktop into a tablet is also a bad idea. Traditional win32 software is horrible for touch-based input and even takes to scaling DPI poorly.

In that sense, yea, MS should’ve taken Apple’s approach here and kept the two wholly different. Forcing desktop users to go Metro (applications were defaulted to Metro for a reason) was a really bad idea.

Finite .Kosmos

I do agree with you for the majority of what you say. I have no issue with touch sensitive interfaces I own an iPad, I own a Galaxy S4 but they are not replacements for my desktop, and it’s folly to assume that their interfaces would be practical for a an actual full fledged computer and the management of the system that is required.
This is why I feel that Extremetech’s comments regarding the days of the desktop being numbered is actually something that misses the point.

My iPad is an accessory and little more. I perform all my media playback, gaming and work tasks on my desktop PC. incidentally, I also run a custom PC business on the side. and while the business appetite for new ‘tin’ has subsided greatly, there has been a marked increase in demand for custom high performance systems, this is something that I and many of others in this field have noted.

I would like to say that while I understand what you are saying with respect to my usage scenario’s, I would disagree with you. Most of the computers that exist are pre touch-screen devices, and most modern machines that are being sold are being sold with Windows 7, not 8 or 8.1. I’d argue that what has changed is what Microsoft expects its end user’s to conform to, it’s notion of what it feels a computing device is as opposed to what their users are actually expecting or demanding. I am willing to be wrong on that point but at present I am uncertain.

I would say that I am not a nay-sayer when it comes to interface changes. But I do think that the Interface should be reflective of the functionality required to operate the device and with an open platform like PC I definitely require more than what Metro provides.

Let me give an example, I use JRiver’s Media Center program for media playback and not Windows Media Player. Yet audio files are defaulted to playback using the dreadful ‘Music’ program that is provided with Metro. Using the Music program I can not browse the local file system effectively or easily, not only that but this application can not even play FLAC format files. I have installed JRiver’s Media Center 19 and I have had to create manual filetype associations so that this application acts as the default player for those filetypes. I’d suggest that this is something that cannot be achieved with Metro alone without desktop interaction, and yet on an open platform like a PC I am free to choose my preferred media applications or even Operating Systems for that matter.

Perhaps that makes me less of what Microsoft is looking for in a customer. My computer at home is connected to a large Sony Bravia display which would be a somewhat ridiculous device to use as a touch interface even if Metro could meet the basic functionality requirements to manage a desktop PC. Currently my needs are met by my iPad (I love iBooks); my gaming, work and media needs are met by standard PC applications. Metro does not factor into my usage at all, it is entirely superfluous. But if you are willing, look at it from my perspective; that I think how I use my machine has more to do with Metro and its shortcomings as an Operating System Interface (it’s complete lack of tools for interrogation of the Operating System, hardware/software issues, or even for performing basic file system functions) as opposed to my use of Windows. Simply put, form follows function, not the other way around. I am using a desktop PC it has 2 GeForce Titan’s in it, it is not a glorified phone, the Operating System needs to reflect the functionality required for the device.

Thanks for the response. :)

Cs PPP

Interesting thoughts all around, but I think there’s one major thing people are missing here with 8.1, which is that MS isn’t really trying to replace the desktop but rather add to it. As you point out, Finite, the desktop is essential for some very in depth functions, but there is also, as per lov’s point of view, users – like myself I’ll admit – that also enjoy a bit of a simple experience such as the Start screen provides. I think this update is great as it will relegate the Start screen to a more background roll for desktop users. Though I do not mind it, I think it’s a step towards satisfying every type of user.

ncgh

Add to it is ok. But they seem to be almost insisting on Metro making one jump through hoops to get around it.
Tablets and desktops are used very differently and the split is becoming more and more pronounced. Light duty web browsing, video playing are quick and convenient on a tablet type device.
Serious computer work from major document editing, spreadsheet analysis, network management, real photo editing require an entirely different different environment and should be treated as such. True, as someone noted earlier, the majority of users probably use Metro, but these are the folks using tablets. Trying to force a notebook or desktop into tablet style operation is an exercise in frustration.

ephemeris

Bronze that. The idea of depth within the interface was/is what is missing within both Win7,Win 8. Even moreso with win 8. Dropping several apps on the tool bar/start menu. For different session types of work,and controlling the associations with the apps is important. The local assets have got to have some credential. As well as the local users prerequisite of computing needs. Traveling through several hundred gigs, and doing exactly what is necesary to it, takes an op.sys. that accomadates it. Customizing all that is a neccesity. I think . Got fast processing power now so production shouldn’t be a secondary aspect to what a web browser only does.

VirtualMark

What do they mean by the desktop has limited days? The desktop interface or the desktop PC?

Sure the desktop PC isn’t as popular these days, but laptops are very popular. And the use a touchpad and keyboard, and some people plug in a mouse. So the desktop interface is still as useful as ever.

MisterBlat

“It would have required almost no effort on Microsoft’s behalf to make the Desktop UI the default for non-touchscreen devices.”

Kinda like Server 2012… uh, woops, that’s supposed to be a secret…

MisterBlat

“It would have required almost no effort on Microsoft’s behalf to make the Desktop UI the default for non-touchscreen devices.”

C’mon, get 8 and use StartIsBack. Just like Windows 7, but with the perks of 8.

Marc Guillot

I’m not in a hurry. If I buy a new PC (something I don’t see at short term), I will effectively put it StartIsBack and deactivate Metro.

But to me the perks of Windows 8 doesn’t look like worth the trouble of updating from Windows 7 my computers.

applefish

I thought the same thing and then I did the upgrade. I will never look back. Windows 8 is much better in most respects, it just takes some getting used to.

RealGeee

Use Classic Shell or Start8 if you really can’t live without a start menu.

Marc Guillot

Why use a half-cooked clone when I can live with the real deal (Windows 7) ?.

Dozerman

Kind of beating a dead horse, here, but the desktop is here to stay. This whole “the desktop is dead” rhetoric is getting old.

FireFox Bancroft

That’s because Sebastian Anthony likes his tablet so much he’s proclaimed all desktops to be obsolete.

Dozerman

Honestly, I can’t even blame the author, more the mainstream culture that buys most of the technology today and ends up reading these stories. Those are the people that make the money, therefore those are the people that get catered to.

Gerhard Hoffnung

I have a dual monitor setup for video, audio and DSLR image editing. There is no way I want to try and do this stuff on anything other than a desktop. I’m 70 years old and sqinting at a 10inch tablet to image edit would be seriously unpleasant. For me, and probably many others, the desktop is here for a while.

Brett Turner

> popularizing the Metro interface is vital for Microsoft’s future, and that he Desktop’s days are numbered

1. People are not going to stop using computers to do serious work.

2. Metro is a terrible user interface for doing serious work.

3. Therefore, the desktop is not dead and will not die until someone produces an equal or better user interface for doing serious work.

4. Metro is important to tablets and tablets are where the consumer sales are. So popularizing Metro *on tablets* is important. But forcing use of Metro on desktops does not popularize Metro on tablets. It annoys the users and makes them hate Metro, which is counterproductive.

Specially point 3. I am sure there may be better interfaces for serious work, and people will adopt if they are useful, but Metro never made sense, improved stuff or fixed problems for productivity work.

SAL_e

Next they need to add ability to limit the size, instead of full-screen, of the Metro Screen on desktops and it will almost look and function like Unity shell on Ubuntu Linux.

Cam Gordon

well the metro apps being minimizable and being able to launch from desktop is a VERY good choice, I already have this ability with a 3$ piece of software called modern mix. Adding this is a BIG win for me.

I think the best thing is the scaling options! If you have ever tried windows on a big screen TV and a high resolution, you will know the pain of the scaling options. too small or too big! I am REALLY excited to get these scaling options :)

It would be nice to see an option to over ride the refresh rate though. They used to allow you to do this on XP. My TV is 620HZ but because there are no drivers, I am stuck with 60hz, which causes tearing due to extremely good video cards. If I can get my refresh to 620hz, like my TV does natively, I can run my games at 150-200FPS like I want to, not throwing on stupid v-sync for 60FPS and way less smooth of gaming…

pixelstuff

I seriously doubt your TV’s screen refresh rate is 620 Hz. You are probably confusing the sub-field rate, if it’s a plasma. What model TV do you have?

SirGCal

If you’re using HDMI, you’re not sending more then 60Hz (I think the actual limit for HDMI was around 75ish)… Again as said before, the high refresh is the internal part of the unit.

I actually do have a 144Hz monitor connected through dual-link DVI to achieve the throughput and a card with the same to run it (or an active, not passive, DP->DL DVI converter). There is a massive difference running that or through my HDMI to the 240Hz TV (which again isn’t actually 240Hz input capable).

Cam Gordon

good to know! even running 144Hz would be nice! I would even be happy with 120Hz… I have a Panasonic Plasma TV, I cant remeber the exact hz so I am probably confused but any increase in refresh rate would be highly appreciated as 60fps is terrible and some games are unplayable with the tearing line going down the screen

Stuart Paull

You need to be looking for a v-lock, v-sync and double of triple buffering option in the game or graphics driver. Basically if your graphic card FPS doesn’t match the refresh rate of your display you’ll get screen tear. If your graphic card can consistency produce more than 60 FPS in a game, then v-sync and double/triple buffering is what you want. If it cannot produce that, then hopefully see if you can v-lock the frame rate of the graphic card to 30 Hz in the driver or game, as this is a multiple of the frame rate of the display. Console game are generally locked to 30 or 60 FPS to avoid screen tearing

RATBURL

Microsoft is so out of touch,they really need this new leadership and fast.

Giorgio

> popularizing the Metro interface is vital for Microsoft’s future, and that he Desktop’s days are numbered

No its not…..

asfal ada

out of touch… pun?

Giorgio

nope im in touch….

D.B.

Only future for windows is DESKTOP. On mobile market IOS and Android are the kings, so M$ should concentrate on their market share and NOT dreaming of a big slice from mobile Market. If they try to push further the aberation Windows 8 is they will burry themselfs. Why, because Windows is very popular in high end market and i doubt that someone will install W8 when now days many swap from dinosaur XP to windows 7.

T Rauncher

Now if they get rid of the gay “flat” trendy UI, it might have a chance.

“What parts of the UI do we interact with?”.. No idea… Everything’s flat…
“Swipe from the right?” The least intuitive feature ever. EVER….

100% of the people I know that installed w.8 regret it… And that’s a lot of people. Yes there are Microsoft fanboys who shriek at the top of their lungs in the comments section, .. But in the real world, w.8 is worse than vista ever was.

AdamRadzik22

Well it’s not ‘worse’ than Vista in terms of behind-the-scenes functionality. Windows 8 is similar to Windows 7 in its architecture, and functions well in everything except the terrible, awful (for PC users) user interface. I have had to use Windows 8 PCs, and I despise it. However, the nuts and bolts for Windows 8 are very solid, but the interface is just God-awful.

If Microsoft just changes the way PC users can interact with the underlying architecture of Windows 8, then it will be a good O.S. Basically, if they would have slicked up the Windows 7 interface and called the O.S. “Windows 7.1″, then people would’ve liked it instead of hated it (including myself).

And for any Windows 8 fans, yes, I know the 3rd party fixes you can do to help the computer function mostly like Windows 7, but that does not forgive what the MS vision for Windows 8 is (or “was” as of today, I guess).

T Rauncher

Actually you’re correct, there’s quite a bit under the hood in windows 8 that is far superior to Windows 7…

It’s all about the UI. Microsoft in one epic fit of ignorance, discarded 40 years of user interface research in favor of a half-baked chicklit panel that assumes the entire world is going to be a touchscreen. Have you ever sat at your desk with your arm outstretched all day dragging your finger around on your screen? You’ll be in traction by noon.

And then there’s the brilliant idea of forcing metro apps to running full screen only. I wonder what moron thought that one up.

It’s truly unfortunate that a ton of great stuff in Windows 8 was buried under this steaming pile of useless code otherwise known as the windows a user interface.

Susan A

You’re looking at Metro wrong. For instance, “And then there’s the brilliant idea of forcing metro apps to running full screen only. I wonder what moron thought that one up.”

Approach it for what it is: a scam designed to take a huge, captive user-base and dump them into a Microsoft-controlled app-store environment so MS can capture some of the market share that Google and Apple are running away with.

MS had to do something drastic to force that change no matter what. And, it had to look like the forced-change was a “big step into the future” despite the fact that Metro is, objectively-speaking, incompetent.

In the context of a scam, everything about 8 makes sense,

Including Ballmer being fired.

T Rauncher

That is a fascinating angle. You get an A+ for reading between the lines.

Although a couple of my partner level friends in Microsoft tell a different story there’s no reason to believe that they’re telling me the truth. Internally most of the developers seem to have guzzled down the Kool-Aid… Although many of them are coming to their senses at this point.

There always seemed to be some other reason because the W8 design is so imbecilic.

There is one other element here to consider, there is nothing in the universe that Sinofsky wanted more than to be seen as another Steve Jobs. He had clearly convinced himself that he knew better than 40 years of user interface development, and was so desperate to create something revolutionary that in an endless stream of confirmation bias episodes he convinced himself and those around him that this atrocious windows eight user-interface was the future.

But when you consider your idea of trying to create a curated App Store and combine that with the well-known fact that Microsoft Nokia purchase was solely due to the fact that they were within 60 days of dropping Windows phone and moving exclusively to android (this is a fact straight from Microsoft) which would have destroyed Microsoft’s wireless participation altogether, it all starts to make sense.

Microsoft is getting slaughtered in every corner, these acts of desperation may be the only play they have left.

Lophs

New Windows 8.1 user here, literally a week on a desktop. Gave metro a chance, was able to learn it in a relatively short amount of time b/c there are enough tutorials and google, however still didn’t like it. Went back to desktop and bought startisback and I haven’t touched Metro since.

Is Metro the future? Not really, the lock down Metro model that apes the Apple Appstore is only part of the future, the open Win32 desktop model is also part of that future though it will less relevant that it was today.

If the authors worked in anything other than tech journalism they would know. The sideloading and management issues with Metro is comical from a technical, policy, and cost standpoint which means that Metro has no future in enterprise, and educational institutions. The rejection of Windows RT devices means that Metro is barely hanging by a thread in the consumer market.

The only hope for Metro is ironically piggybacking on win32 or desktop, and the rumors of Windows 9 integrating it with desktop defeats the purpose of Metro touch b/c you now put a touch program in a the mouse and keyboard optimized environment.

Carl Sciberras

alot of these so called ‘features’ they are soon to add (supposedly) in 8.1 – update 1 are what they should have in the first place.

8.x is just utter shit…
updates or not, no matter how much you dress up a turd, its still a piece of shit…

zapper

The same dirty American ideology,
create a demand , then fulfill it,
Create a problem , then sell the solution,
Create unrest , civil war & terrorism in a country
(or in the world, Al Queda was created by USA)
then sell war on terror & make money.
Boycott USA , the no.1 trouble maker in the world

iron_dinges

While I agree, this isn’t relevant to a tech site.

T Rauncher

all together now… PHUKKKK OFFF TROLLLLLL

javajolt

i have just completed the installation of windows 8.1 update 1 and it boots to the start ui by default

Michael Johnston

Hey, I commend Microsoft, not for the engineering of the incomplete and flawed operating interface that windows 8 is, but for recognizing and repairing some of the obvious flaws with the desktop/metro desktop(s). There are more than a few interface issues on mac os that have never been repaired.

GUEST

“reducing Metro to its rightful role as a full-screen Start menu.” AMEN! SO LET IT BE WRITTEN SO LET IT BE DONE!

Peter Row

What is all this boot to desktop stuff, you can already do that in Windows 8.1. It might not be the default but if you are that bothered you can simply change a setting and hey presto, boots straight to desktop.

DeWayne Durrett

I do not agree that Metro is vital to Microsoft’s survival. I also do not agree that desktop is on it’s way to extinction. Full powered desktops will continue to be around because there are some things that can only be done with a full powered computer. Tablets have been around before the Ipad was created. Tablets are mainly consumption devices.

Not listening to their userbase will cause Microsoft’s extinction faster than anything else.

kakahoho

My tablet is 11 inch (Dell Venue 11 Pro) but i didn’t see Power button in Metro screen. How to fix this?

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